Watching Darkness Fall

In Watching Darkness Fall, David McKean explores the perspectives of four key American diplomats—Joseph Kennedy, William Dodd, Breckinridge Long, and William Bullitt—who served in major European capitals during the lead-up to World War II. As Germany advanced toward Paris in 1940, these ambassadors communicated directly with President Roosevelt, often misjudging the threat posed by Adolf Hitler and the rising Third Reich. Their experiences offer a firsthand look at the precarious political landscape of the time, highlighting America's early responses to the looming conflict.